(January 2019)
Collaborating with international agencies involved in food safety and food regulation is increasingly important as the global food supply expands.
While food-related risks around the world may vary, sharing information, data and best practices in food science and food regulation can promote consistent approaches in analysing risk. FSANZ engages in a number of international activities including by participating in expert committees and forums. These are detailed below.
APEC Food Safety Cooperation Forum
The
APEC Food Safety Cooperation Forum
is a forum of food safety regulators which seeks to build robust food safety systems in the Asia-Pacific region. It is co-chaired by Australia (FSANZ) and China.
As part of this work, Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) in collaboration with food safety regulatory authorities and food industry peak organizations of the APEC region has developed an APEC Food Safety Risk Communication Framework and Associated Guidelines after 2 years of intensive project work. This publication is available on our website.
Codex
The
Codex Alimentarius Commission
produces internationally recognised standards, codes of practice, guidelines and other recommendations relating to foods, food production and food safety. It aims to protect the health of consumers and ensure fair practices in international food trade. As the Australian Government representative, FSANZ leads the Australian delegation to four technical Codex Committees:
Codex Committee on Food Hygiene
Codex Committee on Food Additives
Codex Committee on Contaminants in Food
Codex Committee on Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary Uses
Task Force on Antimicrobial Resistance.
FSANZ also contributes scientific and technical input into several other Codex committees including; the Codex Committee on Food Labelling, the Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues, and commodity committees including Fats and Oils and Fresh Fruit and Vegetables.
World Health Organization and the Food and Agricultural Organization
FSANZ supports the work of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) by participating in expert consultations and meetings, including the
Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives.
Other networks
In addition, we collaborate and exchange information with other relevant international regulatory agencies through networks such as the
International Food Chemical Safety Liaison Group, the International Microbiological Food Safety Liaison Group, and the
Food Safety Regulatory Economics Working Group and Social Sciences International Liaison Group
(formerly Quads groups).
More information about these groups is below.
